Israel is blocking the United Nations from investigating sexual crimes allegedly committed by Hamas during its October 7 attack, fearing it would require granting access to probe allegations of sexual violence against Palestinians in Israeli detention, Israeli daily Haaretz reports.

Pramila Patten, the UN’s Special Representative of the Secretary-General on Sexual Violence in Conflict, has requested permission to investigate Hamas’ alleged crimes.

However, she stipulated that her team must also be allowed to access Israeli detention facilities to examine claims of sexual violence by Israeli soldiers.

Israel has refused the request.

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